Guitarist in festival zone

ONE performer proved a particular highlight on the acoustic stage at the annual Queen’s Park Summer Festival.

A 26-year-old musician, Emile Dani who goes by the name Child of Chief, was spotted by Cllr Ryan Dalton while volunteering at Acklam Village in Notting Hill for those affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster.

He described his own songs as an “emotional story… that is in some way uplifting”, adding: “My family’s journey from Iran to Europe through the 1980s plays a big part in my music.”

“He was performing mellow songs for people that were volunteering,” said Cllr Dalton, who then invited him to perform at the festival. “We had around 100 volunteers and every evening he would sing and play quietly for them.”

Revellers at the summer festival

People flocked to Queen’s Park Gardens on Saturday to play some sports, listen to some tunes and even race some snails.

“There were lots of children’s activities, a great sports section and it was the best year yet for the acoustic zone, which was introduced four years ago and has continued to thrive, ” Cllr Dalton told Diary.